Whitby steel mill plans to expand landfill

Whitby steel mill reps head to Ottawa

WHITBY -- Gerdau Ameristeel Recycling is seeking to permit expansion of its landfill at 1801 Hopkins St. in Whitby.

At a meeting on Feb. 19, councillors reviewed the environmental assessment report for the expansion, which outlines potential impacts on the environment.

The proposed undertaking is an expansion of the existing on-site landfill for shredder by-product residue and provision for extraction of landfilled materials for processing.

Gerdau has operated a steel-making and recycling facility in Whitby since 1964. The steel mill uses scrap metal as a source of raw material in the production of various steel products. The company receives end-of-life automobiles and trucks and miscellaneous metal-containing material, such as refrigerators and washing machines to shred. Metal is recovered for re-use in the steel mill. The remaining shredder by-product residue, consisting of materials such as rubber, various plastics, foam and fabric, is landfilled on-site.

The report shows very little impact to the surrounding land uses and natural environment in Whitby. The Town's clerk has been directed to forward a copy of the report containing staff's comments to Gerdau, the Region of Durham's planning department and the Ministry of Environment.

COUNCIL BRIEF: Whitby to participate in Earth Hour on March 23

Local residents are being encouraged to help conserve energy as part of Earth Hour 2013, which will be held on Saturday, March 23 from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Earth Hour is an international campaign to raise awareness about the issue of climate change. The campaign, which started in Australia in 2007 and quickly spread around the world, promotes turning off the lights and electronics for one hour to reduce energy consumption.

Last year, the Town of Whitby achieved an overall power reduction of 3.6 per cent or the equivalent of enough energy to power about 1,500 homes.

This year, staff are proposing that the Town partner with the Durham Region Astronomical Association to host an Earth Hour star-gazing event using telescopes at the Port Whitby marina. Staff also recommend that council approve participation in this event on an annual basis. The report was carried by members of the planning and development committee.

COUNCIL BRIEF: New retail building proposed for Whitby

A new 26,469-square foot, multi-unit retail building with a Shoppers Drug Mart and associated parking area is proposed to be built at 4100 Garden St. in Whitby.

The Town's planning and development committee reviewed a report from staff approving a site plan application from Kingsberg Development Corporation for the construction.

The building is proposed north of the existing McDonald's restaurant in the commercial plaza at the northwest corner of Taunton Road East and Garden Street.

Council will make a final decision on the matter and other items discussed at Monday's committee meeting at the next council meeting, scheduled for Monday, March 11 at 7 p.m. in council chambers, 575 Rossland Rd. E., Whitby.